Stave-punching machine.



D. E. VANVAGTOR. STAVE PUNGHING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED JULYls, 1908.

928,289. Patented July 2o, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

D. B. VANVAGTOR.

STAVE PUNGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1s, 190B.

928,289. y Patented July 20, 1909.

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mouw. a, GRAHAM ou, mnnmnnonlhliks. Mmm. n z.

D. E. VANVACTOR.

STAVB PUNCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 1e, 190s.

Patented July 2o, 1909.

- SHEETS--SHEET 3.

D. E. VANVAGTOR.

.Patented July 20, 1909. sEEETs-SHEET 4. 54

' STAVB PUNGHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 18, 1908.

D. E. VANVAGTOR.

STAVE PUNCHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION PIL-BD JULYla, 1908.

928,289. [Patented July zo, 1909.

6 SHE-ETSaSHBBT 5.

D. E. VANVAGTOR.

STAVB PUNGHING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 18, 1908. 928,289. Patented July 20, 1909.

' 6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

UNITED sTATEs DAVID E. VANVAGTOR, OF ARGOS, INDIANA.

STAVE-PUNCHIN G MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 20, 1909.

Application led July 18, 1908. Serial No. 444,284.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, DAVID E. VANvacToR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Argos, in the county of lifiarshall and State of `lndiana,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stave-llunchingMachines, of which the following is a description, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiication, inwhich corresponding characters of reference in the different figuresindicate like parts.

My invention has reference to the formation of holes or bores in stavessuch as are used in the construction of columns or for any purposerequiring a hollow cylindrical structure built up from staves which areintended to be held together by means of bands threaded in said bores.

The object of my invention is to provide a machine for rapidly andaccurately punching such staves, so that the holes in successive membersmay register' with each other, thereby enabling bands to be readilyinserted in the holes for the purpose of connecting and binding themtogether.

A further object is to provide means whereby said holes may be curved sothat the arc represented by the hole in a given stave may be concentricor substantially so, with the circle described by the complete structureformed from the assembled staves. To these and other subsidiary ends, myinvention consists in the combination of elements hereinafter moreparticularly described and definitely pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1, is a side elevation of a portion of themachine, the part not shown containing only a duplication of certain ofthe parts represented. Fig. 2, is a vertical sectional view taken uponthe line 2--, Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrow there shown,Fig. 3, is a like view taken upon the line $3-, Fig. 1, viewed in thedirection of the arrow there shown, Fig. 4t, is an end view of one ofthe feeder heads, showing adjusting mechanism, Fig. 5, is an oppositeend view from that shown in Fig. et, of a feeder head, showing means foradjusting the hooks or stave abutments, Fig. (S, is a side elevation ofa feeder head, Fig. 7, is a sectional view thereof taken upon the line7M, Fig. 5, viewed in the direction of the arrow there shown, F 8, is anenlarged side elevation of the stave clamping mechanism, Fig. 9, is aview thereof taken at right angles thereto, showing a stave in sectionas it would appear when secured between the clamps, l1`ig. 10, is asectional view' in plan taken upon the line 10m, Fig. 9, Fig. 11, 1s anenlarged View of the feed shaft, together with the ratchet and crankmechanism for actuating the same, Fig. 12, is a face view of themutilated gears for actuating the punching mechanism, the main gearshowing the cam-way for controlling the automatic clamping mechanism,Fig. 13, is a section taken upon the line 13, of the punch carryinghead, and Fig. 14, is a section taken upon the line 14"-, Fig. 13.

Referring to the drawings, 1 Figs. 1, 2 and 3, represent the mainstandards or frame elements of the machine, which are arranged means offrame braces 2, Fig. 1. llflounted in said frame and partially supportedby means of anend bracket 3, Fig. 1, is a driving shaft et, upon whichis mounted fast and loose pulleys 5 and G respectively. Keyed to theshaft 1- is a driving pinion 7, Fig. 3, which meshes into a spur-gear Supon a shaft 9.

Before describing in detail the successive operating parts of themachine in the order of transn'iission from the primary driving element,l will describe generally the stave receiving and manipulating devicesin order that the action of the other elements may be more readilyunderstood.

Attached to the frame-work and extending lengthwise through a portion ofthe machine, is an adjustable stave-receiving guideframe or rack, madeup of vertically arranged parallel frame elements 10, 11, and brackets13, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, preferably having a lining 12 formed from sheetmetal or other suitable material. The brackets 13, Fig. 2, having slotslil therein, are attached to the frame by means of bolts 15, therebyenabling said brackets to be adjusted for the purpose of varying` thewidth between the guide faces for the reception of staves of varyingwidth.

The part 11 may be adjusted in an opposite direction by means of rods11a secured in guides in the frame and set-screws 11b. The guide orfeeding frame is open at bottom and top for the reception of staves 1Gto be punched, which staves are piled one upon the other with the endsabutting against a stop 11, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, which is parallel to eachother and connected by attached by means of bolts to the power end ofthe machine, said bolts being projected through slots 11d to permit thesame to be adjusted to staves of varying lengths. The purpose of thestop is to gage the holes relatively to the ends of the staves.

Located beneath and in the same vertical plane with the pile of staves,is a shaft 17, upon which is mounted a series of feederheads, also shownin Figs. l to 7 inclusive, generally designated by 18, which areprovided with four flat peripheral faces 19, arranged in planes at rightangles to each other, and so positioned with reference to the shaft 17that when the latter is at rest, the uppermost face will be horizontal.The faces 19 serve as a support for the staves which rest thereon in themanner shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Said heads are located at such distancesfrom each other as may be determined upon for forming the punch holes inthe staves, the number varying according to the length of the staves.

I prefer to make the feeder-heads adjustable to staves of varyingthickness, which result may be accomplished as follows: Formed in eachof said heads are four recesses for the reception of extension blocks20, Figs. 2, 3, l and 6, having shoulders, 21, fitted to slide incounterpart grooves 22. The inner ends of said blocks are adapted toabut against a square hub portion 22a, Fig. 1, and when so abutting, theouter face of each block is flush with the fiat face 19 of the head.i-rdjusting screws 23, better shown in Figs. d and (3, having bores inthe heads for the insertion of an adjusting tool, are tapped into theblocks 19, with their ends bearing against the square hub portion 22a.Upon turning said screws, the heads may be projected radially beyond thefaces 19 to meet any desired adjustment in the thickness of staves.Adjustable feed hooks, generally designated by 2st, are clamped to oneend of each feeder-head by means of bolts 25 which pass through bores inthe heads and thence through slots 2G, Fig. 5, in said hooks. Curvedribs 27, Fig. 7, are fitted to slide in a circular groove 2S. Byloosening the nuts upon the bolts, the hooks may be adjusted to anydesired position, to conform to staves of varying widths.

Having described the feeder-heads, I will next describe the means bywhich the staves are caused to be moved into position and clamped,preparatory to being punched. Keyed to the shaft 9, bearing the drivengear S, Figs. 1, 3 and 12, is a mutilated gear 30 having a segmentaltoothed portion 31, at the ends of which are located deep notches 32,33, respectively, the purpose of which will be presently stated. Keyedto a shaft 34, Figs. 3 and 12, which is supported in suitable bearings,in the frame, is a mutilated gear 35 which I prefer to designate as thefeed-gear. The gear 35 is 'provided with two elongated teeth 36, 37adapted to enter the notches 32, respectively of the gear 30, ashereinafter described. The ends of said teeth are fitted to conform tothe arc described by a smooth peripheral portion 3S, upon the gear 30. Alaterally extended tooth 39 is formed upon the gear 30 in a plane midwaybetween the teeth 3G anc 37, and so constructed as to overlap the rearface of the gear 30, in position to be engaged by a laterally projectingtooth l0 upon one face of the gear 30. rlhese teeth I term the startingteeth. rI`he segmental teeth of the gear 30 are suflicient to cause acomplete revolution of the gear 35, as a result of the partialrevolution of the former. Keyed to the shaft 34tis a crank-wheel .tl,Figs. 2 and 3, having a wrist-pin e2, adjustably secured to a radialslot t3 formed therein. Connected with said wrist-pin is a link 44, alsoshown in Fig. 11, which is provided with a wrist pin 15, adjustablysecured in a well-known way within a slot 46, formed in an arm 17, thehub of which is loosely mounted upon the shaft 17, bearing the severalfeeder-heads. ratchet-wheel 18, Fig. 11, having four equi-distant teethis adjustabl y attached to a disk 48 by means of bolts 18h extendingthrough slots 18 in the disk 48a, which is keyed to the shaft 17.Attached to the arm 47 is a pawl e9, adapted to be thrown intoengagement with the ratchet-teeth by means of a spring 50. The severalparts are so adjusted that one revolution of the crankwheel 11 willcause a quarter revolution of the shaft 17 carrying the feeder-heads.lit-hout giving a description, at this time, of the complete operationof the mutilated gears, it is sufficient to say that as a result of thepartial revolution mentioned of the feeder-head shaft, the lowermoststave 1G, in the stack, is pushed by the hooks or fingers 241, on thefeeder-heads, from beneath the stack and moved in the arc of a circle tothe position shown in Figs. 2 and 3. In order to hold it firmly againstthe fingers and bearing abutments of the heads, during this movement, sothat it may be kept in proper position to be engaged by clampingmechanism, next to be described, I provide a series of depending curvedretaining springs 51, Fig. 2, which are attached to the frame and bearagainst the outer face of the stave during said movement.

The position of the stave, in a plane parallel to that of the axis ofthe shaft, as described, is that in which it is intended to be heldduring the operation of punching; but inasmuch as the utmost accuracy isrequired in the position of the holes in order to produce perfectregistration for threading said holes for the purpose of ultimatelyconnecting' the staves, it is essential thatl they be firmly andaccurately positioned previous eeaese to the act of punching. For thispurpose I provide :the following described mechanism: Formed in the faceof the gear 30, is a cam groove 52, adapted to receive a cani-wheel 53,Figs. 1 and 3, upon a ihead 5-1, which is joint-edly connected at 55,lto a link 5G, Fig. 3, the opposite end of which is jointedly connectedto a stud 57, shown in full lilies in Fig. 1, and in dotted lines inFig. riihe head 541, is integral with a link 58, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, thelower end of which is connected to a wrist-pin 59, adjustably securedwithin a slot 00 in an arm 01, keyed to a rock-shaft (i2, supported insuitable bearings in the frame. Arms (i3, Figs. 1 and 2, which arepreferably arranged in pairs upon opposite sides of certain of thestandards as represented in Fig'. 1, are keyed to the shaft G2. A pin611, Fig. 2, is extended through a bore in the ends of said arms andserves to connect them with vertical cross-heads 05, through bores inthe upper and lower ends of which parallel rods 66, 67, are adjustabl-ysecured by ineans of set-screws 68. The inner ends of said rods arejointedly connected respectively, to lugs 69, also shown 'in Figs. 8 and9, attached near the `upper and lower ends of a flat bar 71, shown alsolin Fig. 10, having lugs 72, which are jointedly connected through links73, to lugs 74'-, by means :of pins 75. The lugs 74 are in turnsuspended upon rods 7G, which are 'attached `to brackets 77, upon theframe. The lugs 74: are adjustably secured to the rods 7 0 by means `ofset-screws 78, Fig. 2, which enables them `to be moved forward or backto the'desired position, for the purpose hereiua fter stated. Atie-plate 79, Fi 3 and 9, is rigidly attached to the lower end of theplate 71, Iby nleans of screws'SO, through which is loosely projectedadjusting screws 8l., 81 having right and left hand screw threads. rThelower `ends of the screws S1 project through the plate 79 so to entersockets having' notches S2, indicated in dotted lines, said socketsbeing found in the upper ends of short shafts 33, Sli. Pins 35 upon saidextensions are adapted to enter said notches to enable the screws 81 tobe rotated bythe turning of the shafts. Said shafts extend through boresVin a plate 80, and are connected by means of gears S7, 33, beneath theplate. A hand-wheel 39 upon the shaft 84 enables the shafts to `berotated in unison to actuate the adjusting screws 81. This device may bepermanently connected with said screws, but itl is preferably removable.Clamping blocks 90, 91, are arranged to slide `upon the plate 71, beingheld in place by means of flanges 92. The blocks 90 are provided withlaterally extended lugs 93 which are tapered to receive the threads uponthe upper half of the screws 81, while blocks 9.1, are provided `withsimilar lugs 94, which are :tapped to engage the reverse threads uponthe lower half of said screws. The lower front faces of the clampingblocks 90 arerounded as shown at 95, Fig. 9, while the upper faces ofthe blocks 91, are also rounded as shown at 96, to engage the bevelededges of the staves 10.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the stave clamping mechanism issuspended `upon the rods 73 and is adapted to swing outwardly away fromthe feeder heads, in order to permit the staves to be carried aroundopposite thereto. The clamps are then intended to swing in to engagesaid staves and press them against the feeder heads. In order toaccomplish this, it is essential that the space between the clampingblocks 90 and 91, as well as their relative height, should be accuratelyadjusted. The former may be accomplished by means of the adjustingscrews 81, actuated by the hand wheel 89, and its co-acting parts, bymeans of a turnbuckle 7BfL in the link 73. Upon turning said handwheelin a given direction the blocks 90 and 91 may be caused to `move inopposite directions so that they `may be brouglit closer together orseparated, thereby enabling them to accurately engage the opposite edgesof the stave. Inasmuch as such adjustment need only to be made but once,for a given sized stave, I' prefer to use the adjusting mechanism as atool merely and to attach it only Awhen its use is required. For thisreason it is not shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

In order to enable the staves to be moved in position for punching andto be clamped therein, the cam-groove 52 is so timed as to cause theclamping mechanism to .be swung away from the feeder heads during thetime said heads are being `rotated to place a new stave in position andthen to be moved forward into the position shown in Fig'. 2, to clampsaid stave and hold it firmly in place until the punching operation iscompleted.

The punching is accomplished by means of the following describedmechanism Mounted upon a rock-sl1aft97, sup aorted in bearings in theframe parallel to tile feeder shaft 17, are a series of punching-headsdesignated generally by 93, Figs. 1, 3, 13 and 14. Keyed to saidrock-shaft, is an Varm 99, F 1 and 3, having a slot 100 in which isadjustably secured a wristpin 101, con nected by means of a link 102, toa like pin 103, adjustably secured in a slot 1011, in a crank-wheel 105,mounted upon a shaft 10G, supported in bearings 107. A mutilated gear10S, Figs. 1 and 12, is keyed to `the shaft 106, in position to beengaged by the gear 30. respect with the gear 35 bein provided with atoothed segment 109, forengagement with the `teeth of the segment 31,elongated teeth 110, and 111, respectively for engaging the notches 32and `33,and a laterally projecting Saido'ear 108 is identical in evertooth 112, corresponding to the tooth 39, upon the gear 35. rlhe gear10S is adapted to make one revolution while driven by the toothedsegment of the gear 30; the first half revolution causing the arm 99,Fig. 3, to be raised and lowered through a given are and the second halfof the same revolution causing said arm to be first lowered and thenraised, thereby causing the shaft 97 to be rocked forward and back apredetermined distance and then forward and back in reverse directions,for the purpose of alternately inserting and withdrawing oppositelydisposed punching elements, carried by the punching heads, in otherwords the punching head is turned a short distance in one direction bythe elevation of the arm 99 and then the shaft 97 is rocked in theopposite direction to the extent o f its movement and then rocked backto bring the parts into position from which they are started, thepunching head making but one cycle of movement, as hereinafter morefully described.

Mounted upon the shaft 97, is a` collar 113, Fig. 14, which is securedin place by means of a pin 114, and also keyed thereto. Segmental plates115, 116, separated at 117, Fig. 13, to permit removal., are placedtogether next to the collar 113. A. second collar 1132L is secured uponthe shaft by means of a pin 11S, said collar being screw threaded toreceive a clamping-nut 119. Both the collar 113 and clamping nut 119, isprovided with an annular tongue 120 which engage in correspondinggrooves in the outer faces of said plates, to hold said plates inposition concentric with the shaft. Curved punches 121, 122, the curveof which conforms to the peripheral curve of said plates, are fitted insuitable grooves and rigidly clamped between said plates by means ofscrews 123, Fig. 14C. Said punches project beyond the faces 124 and 125as shown in Fig. 13, to an extent to enable each to pass somewhat morethan half way through the stave 16. The extent of the projection of thepunches may be varied by loosening the screws 123. Screws 126, the headsof which are embedded in recesses in the collar 113, are passed throughthe plates 115, 116, which serve to locate the plates upon the shaftwith respect to the actuating crank, as well as to insure rigidity ofposition. The plates 115 are provided with curved lateral extensions-127 and peripheral grooves 128. Punch guides 129, 130, provided withcurved interior grooves or recesses, are slidably fitted upon saidextensions, said guides being provided with tongues 131, which fit thegrooves 128, and hold said guides in place. Curved recesses 132, 133,are formed in the guide elements 129, 130 for the reception of coiledspring 1311, and 135. The forward ends of said springs rest againstshoulders 136, upon the forward parts of said sliding guide elements andthe opposite ends'against shoulders 137, 13S, upon the plates 115.Removable stops 139 upon t-he collar 113, limit the forward movement ofthe guides. .The plates 115, being rigid with the shaft, the tendency ofsaid springs is to force said guides outwardly in advance of the faces12st, 125 of said clamping plates. Each of said guides is provided withan extension 1/10 which projects normally beyond the forward ends of theplates and is provided with depending lugs 111-1, which are adapted toabut against said faces when the guides are pushed back against theaction of the springs. Said lugs are bored to permit the passage of thepunches 121 and 122, the outer ends of which latter are normally flushedwith the outer faces of said lugs. rlhe fact that the punches arecurved, which would tend to cause them to bend or break when forced intothe wood without support, necessitates the use of the guides. lVhenpressure is applied to the punches, the tendency of the latter to bendoutwardly is resisted by the inner face of the guide which preventsbreakage.

Vhen the shaft 97 is rocked toward the left, the punch-head is movedwith it until the lug 1411 bears against the beveled face of the stave16. A further movement of the shaft causes the punch 121, to enter thewood; thereby punching a hole 142, somewhat more than half way throughthe stave,-the lug 141, resting against the edge of the stave during theentry and withdrawal of the punch, by the reverse movements of therockshaft. The reversed movement of the shaft then causes the punch 122,to enter the lower edge of the stave in alinement with the path of thepunch 121, and its subsequent withdrawal, when the parts of thepunch-head assume their respective normal positions as shown in Fig. 13,until a new stave is presented. The points of the punches arewedge-shaped so as to cut crosswise of the grain of the stave, and theextent of movement of the head should be such as to cause the point topass the middle of the stave far enough to produce a hole of uniformsize throughout, so as not to interfere with the subsequent passage ofa. threading band.

Having thus described the various parts of my improved machine, 1 willnow give a more comprehensive explanation of its general operation.Referring at the outset more especially to Figs. 3 and 12, the machineis shown in the former, with a stave 16, in position to be punched, andin the latter as ready to begin the revolution of the gear 108 whichoperates the punches. The gear 30 being rotated continuously in. thedirection indicated by the arrow, the tooth 4 0 thereon being inengagement with the tooth 112, serves to initiate the rotation of thegear 108. The tooth 110, enters the notch 32,

Cil

when the rotation is continued until the tooth 111 will have engaged andbeen retion of the gear 30, by the teeth 110 and 111 being in contactwith the smooth portion upon the periphery of said gear. This actionimparts one complete rotation to the crank-wheel 105. The first quarterof said rotation causes the linl; 102, Fig. 3, to be raised to itshighest point, thereby raising the arm 99, and rocking the shaft 97,toward the left and forcing the punches 121 of all the punch-heads uponthe shaft, into the stave. The next quarter revolution serves to reversethe action of the rock-shaft and to withdraw said punches. The thirdquarter revolution results in moving the linl:

102 to its lowest point, thereby forcing the 3 punches 122, upwardlyinto the are, while the completion of said revolution results 1n theirwithdrawal; leaving the punches in their respective normal positions asshown` in Figs. 3 and 13. During the operation described, the gear 35,which serves to actuate the feed mechanism, is at rest; being locked inposition with the teeth 36 and 37 in contact with the smooth surface ofthe gear 30. It will be noted that the segment of cogs upon the gear 30is shorter than the smooth. portion. The purpose of this is to permitthe cam, controlling the clamping mechanism, to act for the purpose ofunclam ping or claulping the stave, while both feeding and punchingmechanisms are at rest. Upon the completion of the revolution of thegear 108, the cam-wheel 53 is shifted from the concentric portion of thecam-groove 52 nearest' the center, to that portion farthest from thecenter; thereby, through the link 58, and arm 61, rocking the shaft G2,and moving the rods 6G, 67, withdrawing the clamps from the punchedstave throughout its length and releasing it. Thereupon, the segment ofcogs under the gear 30 engage the gear 35, thereby rotating thecrank-wheel l1, and through the link 1st, arm 117, and ratchet mechanismshown in Fig. 11, imparting a quarter of a revolution to the shaft 17,carrying the feeder heads and through the latter, simultaneouslycarrying the punched stave around beneath the heads, when it falls tothe floor, and feeding the lower stave in the staveway over and oppositeto the punch-heads in position to be punched. At this point the gear 105is still disengaged and while it is at rest the cam-wheel 53 is drawntoward the center of the gear 30, thereby operating the clan'lpingmechanism and clamping the stave in position as hereinbefore described,when the jmuching mechanism is again actuated.

structures of different dimensions may be proportionately varied, itbecomes necessary to provide adjustment therefor as follows: 'Llhefeeder-head shaft, 17, is carried in bearings supported by adjustingarms 1413 secured to the frame by guide flanges 1115i, Fig. 2. Theopposite side of stave-rack 11 is rendered adjustable by means of therods 11, held in place by set-screws 11b, Fig. 2. The clamping mechanismis made adjustable by means` of the rods GG and G7 held by set-screws68, and on rod 76 held by set-screws 78. To adjust the machine to punchstaves for a given diameter of structure, the required set of pllnchingheads are secured upon the rocking shaft 97. The sliding arms 143 are soadjusted to it as to `cause the punches 121 and 122 to enter the stave1G at the required peint. The standards 13 and 11 are adjusted toconform to the width of the stave to be punched. rIhe clainpingmechanism is then adjusted to the feeder-head `by the means described.The proper relative position axillary of the feeder-head shaft issecured by the adjustment of the ratchet 18 to the disk 481.

Having thus described my invention I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with anoscillatory puiich-head, of curved punches, the curves of which formarcs of a common circle, the points of said punches being directedtoward each other with a space between for the reception of a stave,means for supporting a stavo in the arc of said circle between. saidpoints, means for alternately forcing said punches into the edges of thestave in opposite directions, curved guides slidably mounted upon theexterior periphery of the punch heads and against the outer surface ofsaid punches to cause the punches to maintain said curve while understress.

2. In a device of the class described, the combination with stavefeeding, clamping, punching and releasing mechanism, of a continuouslyrevoluble mutilated driving gear, mutilated feed and punching gearsarranged to be alternately actuated thereby, and a cam arranged tooperate in harmony with said driving gear for alternately actuating saidclamping mechanism to clamp and release the stave during the intervalspreceding the starting of said driven gears respectively and while thetwo are at rest.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination with anoscillatory head, of a curved punch mounted thereon` with its curvedouter edge coinciding with the arc of the circle described by the outeredge of the head by which it is supported, and a yielding punchsupporting element slidably mounted upon said head and having an innercurved surface fitted to the outside surface of said In order that thecurve in the sta/ves for l head, said surface being arranged to bearagainst the outer curved edge of the punch from the point of its supportin the head substantially to its outer end.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination with anoscillatory punchcarrying head, of a curved punch mounted thereon havinga curve concentric With the axis of the head, a punch supporting elementhaving an inner face fitted to conform to the outer curve of the punch,an inturned lip upon its outer end bored to permit the passage of saidpunch, and a spring for normally holding` said support projectedsubstantially to the outer end of the punch to enable the latter to becontinuously reinforced from the Work Which it is intended to enter toits point of support in the head.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with revolublefeeder heads having bearing faces for staves, of abutments for engagingthe beveled edges of the staves, and means for adjusting said abutmentsto cause the central line of the stave to coincide with the radial lineof the shaft which eX- tends midway between the edges of said bearingfaces, which .edges are parallel tothe axis of the shaft.

6. -In a device of the class described, the combination With revolublefeeder-heads having bearing faces for staves arranged in the planes atright angles to radial lines eX- tending through the axes of said heads,and circular grooves in one of the side faces of said heads, ofabutments arranged to engage the beveled edges of the staves, curvedtongues upon the bodies thereof to engage said circular grooves, andmeans for adjustably securing said abutments in position.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination with arock-shaft, of punchheads having punch-holding elements for holdingoppositely disposed curved punches in a common plane, a pair of opposingcollars rigidly attached to said shafts for each of said punch-heads,said collars being arranged to rigidly clamp said punch holding elementsto cause them to move in the are of a circle While held by said collars,said punch-holding elements being diametricallyseparable from each otherand provided with means for slidably connecting them with anddisconnecting them from the collars when the latter' are loosened.

8. In a device of the class described, the combination with a shaft, ofpunch heads composed of diametrically separable, opposed punch-holdingelements, means upon the outer sides thereof for engaging collars uponthe shaft and collars rigidly secured to the shaft and fitted to engagesaid engaging means upon the sides of said punch holding elements.

9. In a device of the class described, the combination with a shaft, ofpunch-heads composed of diametrically separable punchholding elementshaving curved grooves in the outer side of each, the curve of "which isconcentric with the axis of the shaft, and supporting collars mountedupon the shaft, said collars having tongues formed thereon to enter saidgrooves.

l0. In a machine of the class described, the l combination of afeed-shaft having feederheads uiounted thereon, means for supporting astave therein, punch-heads mounted upon a shaft parallel to saidfeed-shaft, means for rotating said feed-shaft to move a stave inpunching position opposite to said punching heads, curved opposingpunches upon each of said punch-heads, the curves of which areconcentric With the aXis of the heads, the punches upon each head beingarranged to point in opposite directions, and means for rocking theshaft bearing said punch-heads, to alternately insert and Withdraiv saidopposing punches.

l1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of astave-rack, a feed-shaft provided with feeder-heads having means thereonfor engaging the lowermost stave to move it from the rack When the shaftis rotated, means for intermittently moving said shaft a predeterminedpartial revolution, clamping means for holding a stave against saidfeeder-heads when the shaft is so rotated, a plurality of punch-headsmounted upon a shaft parallel to said feed-shaft, each of saidpunch-heads bearing curved punches pointing in opposite directionstoward the clamped stave and means for oscillating the shaft bearingsaid punch-heads to alternately force the punches into opposite edges ofthe stave.

l2. The combination, in a device of the class described, of a shaftcarrying a plurality of feeder-heads, to move a stave to a punchingposition, a parallel shaft carrying a plurality of punch-heads, eachhaving curved punches arranged to enter the stave from opposite edges,and means for alternately actuating said shafts.

1B. In a device of the class described, the combination of a revolublefeeder head for presenting the staves to punching mechanism, of punchingmechanism, clamping mechanism for clamping the stave against said feederheads While undergoing the operation of punching, and means fortemporarily holding the stave in posit-ion pending the action of theclamping mechanism.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination of means forsuccessively feeding staves to a punching position, means for clampingthe same therein, means for punching the same while clamped, means forreleasing them when punched and means for actuating one of saidpreviously named means, in the order of its requirement, while theothers are at rest.

l5.V In a device of the class described, the

combination with an oscillatory punch-cai`- rying head, of curvedpunches projecting in opposite directions therefrom, in a common plane,the curves thereof being concentric With the axis of the head, ofspring-controlled movable curved O'uides arranged to extendsubstantially to the pointed ends of said punches, said guides bearingagainst said punches and conforming to the outer curve thereof.

16. In a device of the class described, the combination With anoscillatory punchcar rying head, of curved punches projected in oppositedirections,said punches being in a common plane with the curves thereofconcentric With the axis of the head, of spring controlled movablecurved guides arranged to extend substantially to the pointed ends ofsaid punches, the inner faces of said guides conforming` to the outercurve of the punches, inturned lips upon the outer end of each of saidguides, each of said lips having a bore therein to permit the passage ofthe punch, and means for limiting the movement of said guides.

In testimony whereof, I have signed this specification in the presenceof two subscribing Witnesses, this 16th day of July 1908.

DAVID E. VANVACTOR.

itnesses D. H. FLETCHER, CARRIE E. JORDAN.

